“Mental health support is not a secondary need in emergencies — it is lifesaving and must be integrated into every humanitarian response.”— Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Former WHO Regional Director for Africa
Every year, World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10, reminds the world that mental well-being is a cornerstone of overall health and human resilience. The 2025 theme, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” underscores the need to make mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) an essential part of humanitarian and development efforts. This theme strikes a deep chord across Africa, a continent that continues to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and innovation in the face of adversity. Despite enduring numerous public health emergencies, natural disasters, and conflicts, Africa’s response increasingly reflects determination, progress, and community-driven solutions that strengthen both minds and societies.
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Africa experiences more than 100 major public health and humanitarian events each year, including disease outbreaks such as Ebola and cholera, as well as floods, droughts, and conflicts exacerbated by climate change. These events undoubtedly place pressure on healthcare systems and communities. Yet beyond the physical and economic impacts lies another challenge, the emotional and psychological toll on individuals and families. According to WHO, one in five people affected by crises may develop a diagnosable mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. For many survivors, the trauma of displacement, loss, and uncertainty becomes a silent struggle.
While the burden is significant, Africa’s growing recognition of mental health as an integral component of emergency response is a mark of progress. Countries are increasingly aligning with WHO’s Regional Framework on MHPSS, which targets 80% coverage across African nations by 2030. This marks a vital shift from viewing mental health as a peripheral issue to embedding it in the heart of public health policy. The change is visible in several nations making measurable strides. Kenya, for instance, has decentralised mental health services under its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) strategy, enrolling over 26 million citizens in social insurance programs and training more than 100,000 community promoters to provide support at the grassroots level. Ghana has integrated mental health into disaster recovery initiatives, helping families cope with the economic and emotional disruptions caused by emergencies. In Chad, MHPSS has been recognised as a core pillar of emergency response, reaching nearly 19,000 people by early 2025, while Tanzania’s Marburg outbreak response included training for dozens of officers who provided counselling to affected communities.
Beyond government efforts, Africa’s strength lies in its community-based resilience. Local organisations, youth groups, and faith-based initiatives are stepping up to fill the care gap. The Girls For Girls Africa Mental Health Foundation conducts resilience and trauma-healing workshops for women and adolescent girls in crisis-affected regions, empowering them to rebuild confidence and self-worth. The African Youth Mental Health Consortium (AYMHC), launched on this year’s World Mental Health Day, represents a new wave of youth-led advocacy and peer-support initiatives that prioritize early intervention and mental health education. In Rwanda, the Turibisubizo project continues to lead community-based counseling programs, promoting healing through dialogue and social support. These initiatives show that African societies are not only responding to crises but also creating sustainable models of recovery rooted in compassion, culture, and community.
Challenges, however, remain. Across many African countries, mental health still receives less than 1% of total health budgets, and the continent averages fewer than one psychiatrist per 100,000 people. Stigma persists, often discouraging individuals from seeking help or discussing emotional distress. In some regions, traditional beliefs link mental illness to spiritual causes, which can prevent timely access to care. Yet, these cultural frameworks can also serve as entry points for change, when religious and community leaders are engaged in promoting mental health awareness, stigma begins to fade. Furthermore, the rise of digital innovation is bridging service gaps: teletherapy, online counseling platforms, and mobile health apps are making mental health services accessible even in remote or conflict-affected areas.
Climate change and displacement remain significant drivers of psychological distress. Droughts in the Horn of Africa, floods in East Africa, and conflicts in Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have uprooted millions. In Nigeria, over 3.6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) face disrupted livelihoods and education, amplifying vulnerability to anxiety and depression. Yet across these crises, the resilience of African communities continues to inspire global admiration. People rebuild not just their homes but their sense of hope, often supporting one another through faith-based initiatives, local dialogue circles, and youth volunteerism.
The way forward requires a united effort. Governments, development partners, and civil society must integrate MHPSS into all emergency preparedness and response plans, ensuring that mental health care is available alongside physical aid. Funding must increase, with countries urged to meet or exceed WHO’s recommendation of $2 per capita for mental health spending. Training for local health workers in psychological first aid should become standard practice, ensuring help is available within communities before specialized care is needed. Education and awareness campaigns must also target stigma and misconceptions, encouraging open conversations about mental well-being. Special attention should be given to women, youth, and displaced populations, who are often disproportionately affected during emergencies.
Africa’s experience demonstrates that even amid recurring crises, there is extraordinary potential for renewal. The continent is not defined by its emergencies, but by its ability to transform pain into purpose and adversity into action. By expanding access to mental health services, investing in community-led care, and prioritising emotional recovery in every humanitarian response, Africa is laying the foundation for a more resilient and compassionate future.
On this World Mental Health Day 2025, the message is clear: mental health is not a luxury; it is a lifeline. When minds heal, societies recover faster. When communities prioritise well-being, nations grow stronger. Africa’s journey toward mental health resilience is not one of despair but of determination, a story of healing that continues to inspire the world.
